Source: Team_Talk
Harry ponders raids for City slickers
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has quashed talk of a move for Stephen Ireland but admits he could look to Manchester City for other signings.[LNB] The Spurs manager has been thwarted in his pursuit of some transfer targets this summer, with Joe Cole opting to join Liverpool instead and West Ham rejecting an offer for Scott Parker.[LNB]Redknapp is still looking to bring in reinforcements but does not necessarily believe that he has to splash major cash.[LNB]He therefore doubts whether Spurs would be able to afford Ireland, who has been linked with a move to White Hart Lane from City.[LNB]Redknapp does, however, believe that Eastlands could be the place to shop for some bargains before the transfer deadline.[LNB]City need to trim their squad to get down to 25 before the start of September and could be ready to loan out some players.[LNB]"I just need a couple of fresh faces that would make the difference," Redknapp said in The People.[LNB]"One or two walk through the door and it gives everybody a lift. I hoped Joe Cole would have done that if he'd come here but I think there are one or two out there who would do the same - maybe from Manchester City.[LNB]"I reckon there's two or three players out there where you don't have to spend any real money on. I think there will be a lot of loans about, because teams are going to loan people out just to get them off the wage bill.[LNB]"City look like they might have to do that with one or two because they've got a big squad so it will be interesting.[LNB]"Stephen Ireland would cost too much. I like him but he is expensive at £11million or £12million. [LNB]"We wouldn't be in a position to spend that much on him, it would be a problem."[LNB]As well as mulling over his transfer options, Redknapp is facing a major dilemma over the fitness of key defender Ledley King.[LNB]The England international is struggling with his ongoing knee problem ahead of the start of the new season and Redknapp is not willing to take any risks.[LNB]The Spurs boss admits he may have to leave King out of the Premier League opener against Manchester City to ensure he is ready for the first leg of the Champions League qualifier a few days later.[LNB]"The start of the season is a real problem - just look at Ledley. I'm either going to play him in Europe or in the league," Redknapp explained.[LNB]"We start with Man City which is a big opening game so do I play him against Man City or do I play him in the Champions League?[LNB]"At the moment Jonathan Woodgate is struggling, Ledley's come back but his knee's not great, so we've got to be careful.[LNB]"That Champions League qualifier is massive for us now. We've worked hard to get there and we want to get into the group stages otherwise all the good work we put in last season wont count for anything.[LNB]"If Ledley is fit the chances are I'll save him for that because those two qualifying games are now the bigger games for us."
